Device and Method for Water Spray Quenching

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for water spray quenching that includes (i) a quenching chamber designed and set up to receive metallic workpieces, with a batch of volume V 0  of 0.045 to 3.5 m 3  and (ii) at least one atomizer which is configured to atomize water in air or nitrogen and is fluidically connected to the quenching chamber; in which the at least one atomizer and the device are designed and set up to generate a spray mist with a water content of 2.5 to 40 vol. % and a Sauter mean diameter of 20 to 2000 m and also a spray mist flow through the batch volume V 0  of 0.05 to 25 m 3 /s.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for the quenching of metallic workpieces after a thermochemical treatment, such as carburizing or carbonitriding, and comprises at least one atomizer designed and set up for the atomization of water in air or nitrogen, and a quench chamber fluidically connected to the atomizer.

Apparatuses for quenching of metallic workpieces after a thermochemical treatment are known in the prior art. DE 10 2007 023 089 A1 describes a method of quenching metallic workpieces after inductive hardening, in which water is atomized in air or nitrogen with the aid of one or more two-phase nozzles and sprayed onto a metallic workpiece. By dynamic control of the gas and water volume flow rate, the cooling rate is varied and the cooling curve of the workpiece is adjusted to specified values. Relative movement of the workpiece or of the two-phase nozzles compensates for spatial fluctuations in the cooling rate.

Conventionally, thermochemically treated workpieces are quenched in a bath of water, aqueous polymer solution or oil, or in a gas stream at a pressure of 5 to 20 bar. Cooling baths of oil or aqueous polymer solution pollute the environment to a considerable degree. In the case of quenching in a water bath, an insulating steam layer forms, which initially slows the cooling and collapses anisotropically, which causes nonuniform cooling, case hardening depth and stresses in the workpiece surface. By contrast, gas quenching achieves relatively uniform cooling. However, plant complexity for gas quenching is high, and there is an upper limit to the magnitude of the cooling rate

$\left( {{❘\frac{\Delta T}{\Delta L}❘}{in}K/s} \right).$

Therefore, developments since about 1960 have been undertaken with regard to quenching by means of water sprinkling and water spraying or water atomization. In spite of numerous efforts—apart from isolated applications in the steel industry—quenching by means of water sprinkling or water spraying has not become established in practical thermochemical treatment. The reasons for this are apparently excessive water demand and nonuniform wetting when using a water shower, and to a lesser degree also in the water spray quenching.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the existing problems and to provide an apparatus suitable for industrial use for the water spray quenching of thermochemically treated metallic workpieces.

This object is achieved by an apparatus for water spray quenching, comprising

-   -   a quenching chamber which has been designed and set up to         accommodate metallic workpieces and has a charge volume V₀ of         0.045 to 3.5 m³; and     -   at least one atomizer which is configured for the atomization of         water in air or nitrogen and is fluidically connected to the         quenching chamber;

the at least one atomizer and the apparatus are designed and set up to generate a spray mist having a water content of 2.5% by volume to 40% by volume and a Sauter diameter of 20 to 2000 μm and to convey a spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ of 0.05 m³/s to 25 m³/s or to recirculate the spray mist in the charge volume V₀ at a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s.

Appropriate embodiments of the apparatus of the invention are characterized by the following features in any combination, provided that the features are not mutually exclusive, and according to which:

-   -   0.045 m³≤V₀≤0.4 m³, 0.2 m³≤V₀≤0.6 m³, 0.4 m³ V₀≤0.8 m³, 0.6         m³≤V₀≤1 m³, 0.8 m³≤V₀≤1, m³ or 1 m³≤V₀≤1.5 m³;     -   0.045 m³≤V₀≤0.2 m³, 0.1 m³≤V₀≤0.3 m³, 0.2 m³≤V₀≤0.4 m³, 0.3         m³≤V₀≤0.5 m³, 0.4 m³≤V₀≤0.6 m³, 0.5 m³≤V₀≤0.7 m³, 0.6 m³≤V₀≤0.8         m³, 0.7 m³≤V₀≤0.9 m³ 0.8 m³≤V₀≤1 m³, 0.9 m³≤V₀≤1.1 m³, 1         m³≤V₀≤1.2 m³, 1.1 m³≤V₀≤1.3 m³, 1.2 m³≤V₀≤1.4 m³ or 1.3         m³≤V₀≤1.5 m³;     -   1.0 m³≤V₀≤2.0 m³, 1.5 m³≤V₀≤2.5 m³, 2.0 m³≤V₀≤3.0 m or 2.5         m³≤V₀≤3.5 m³;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a width of 40 cm to 80         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a depth of 40 cm to 120         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a height of 10 cm to 80         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cylindrical and has a diameter of 40 cm         to 120 cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cylindrical and has a height of 10 cm to         80 cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a width of 40 cm to 150         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a depth of 40 cm to 150         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a height of 10 cm to         150 cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cylindrical and has a width of 40 cm to         200 cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cylindrical and has a height of 10 cm to         150 cm;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises 3 to 20, 10 to 30, 20 to 40,         30 to 50, or 40 to 60, atomizer nozzles;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises 3 to 10, 5 to 15, 10 to 20,         15 to 25, 20 to 30, 25 to 35, 30 to 40, 35 to 45, 40 to 50, 45         to 55, or 50 to 60, atomizer nozzles;     -   the at least one atomizer is designed and set up to generate a         spray mist having a water content of 2.5% to 20% by volume, 10%         to 30% by volume, or 20% to 40% by volume;     -   the at least one atomizer is designed and set up to generate a         spray mist having a water content of 2.5% to 15% by volume, 10%         to 20% by volume, 15% to 25% by volume, 20% to 30% by volume,         25% to 35% by volume, or 30% to 40% by volume;     -   the at least one atomizer is designed and set up to generate         0.05 to 25 m³/s of spray mist;     -   the at least one atomizer is designed and set up to generate         0.05 to 0.3 m³/s, 0.2 to 0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5 m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6         m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6 to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to 0.9 m³/s, or 0.8         to 1 m³/s, of spray mist;     -   the at least one atomizer is designed and set up to generate         0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3 m³/s, 2 to 4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6         m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8 m³/s, 7 to 9 m³/s, or 9 to 10 m³/s, of         spray mist;     -   the at least one atomizer is designed and set up to generate         0.05 to 4 m³/s, 2 to 6 m³/s, 4 to 8 m³/s, 6 to 10 m³/s, 8 to 12         m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18 m³/s, 16 to 20         m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s, or 20 to 25 m³/s, of spray mist;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to generate a spray mist         flow through the charge volume V₀ of 0.05 to 10 m³/s, 5 to 15         m³/s, 10 to 20 m³/s or 15 to 25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to generate a spray mist         flow through the charge volume V₀ of 0.05 to 0.3 m³/s, 0.2 to         0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5 m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6         to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to 0.9 m³/s, 0.8 to 1 m³/s, 0.9 to 1.1 m³/s, 1         to 1.2 m³/s, 1.1 to 1.3 m³/s, 1.2 to 1.4 m³/s, 1.3 to 1.5 m³/s,         1.4 to 1.6 m³/s, 1.5 to 1.7 m³/s, 1.6 to 1.8 m³/s, 1.7 to 1.9         m³/s or 1.8 to 2 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to generate a spray mist         flow through the charge volume V₀ of 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3         m³/s, 2 to 4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6 m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8         m³/s, 7 to 9 m³/s or 8 to 10 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to generate a spray mist         flow through the charge volume V₀ of 0.05 to 8 m³/s, 5 to 10         m³/s, 8 to 12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18 m³/s,         16 to 20 m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to recirculate the spray         mist in the charge volume V₀ with a spray mist volume flow rate         of 0.05 to 10 m³/s, 5 to 15 m³/s, 10 to 20 m³/s or 15 to 25         m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to recirculate the spray         mist in the charge volume V₀ with a spray mist volume flow rate         of 0.05 to 0.3 m³/s, 0.2 to 0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5 m³/s, 0.4 to         0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6 to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to 0.9 m³/s, 0.8         to 1 m³/s, 0.9 to 1.1 m³/s, 1 to 1.2 m³/s, 1.1 to 1.3 m³/s, 1.2         to 1.4 m³/s, 1.3 to 1.5 m³/s, 1.4 to 1.6 m³/s, 1.5 to 1.7 m³/s,         1.6 to 1.8 m³/s, 1.7 to 1.9 m³/s or 1.8 to 2 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to recirculate the spray         mist in the charge volume V₀ with a spray mist volume flow rate         of 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3 m³/s, 2 to 4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6         m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8 m³/s, 7 to 9 m³/s or 8 to 10 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to recirculate the spray         mist in the charge volume V₀ with a spray mist volume flow rate         of 0.05 to 8 m³/s, 5 to 10 m³/s, 8 to 12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12         to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18 m³/s, 16 to 20 m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to         25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to generate a spray mist         throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the quench chamber         of 0.05 to 25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to generate a spray mist         throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the quench chamber         of 0.05 to 0.3 m³/s, 0.2 to 0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5 m³/s, 0.4 to         0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6 to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to 0.9 m³/s or         0.8 to 1 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to generate a spray mist         throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the quench chamber         of 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3 m³/s, 2 to 4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6         m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8 m³/s, 7 to 9 m³/s or 9 to 10 m³/s;     -   the apparatus is designed and set up to generate a spray mist         throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the quench chamber         of 0.05 to 4 m³/s, 2 to 6 m³/s, 4 to 8 m³/s, 6 to 10 m³/s, 8 to         12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18 m³/s, 16 to 20         m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25 m³/s;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises one or more atomizer         nozzles;     -   one or more atomizer nozzles comprise a swirl insert;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises one or more water control         valves;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises one or more gas control         valves;     -   the apparatus comprises a water pressure vessel fluidically         connected to the at least one atomizer;     -   the apparatus comprises a gas pressure vessel fluidically         connected to the at least one atomizer;     -   the apparatus comprises a water pump fluidically connected to         the at least one atomizer or the water pressure vessel;     -   the apparatus comprises a fan or compressor fluidically         connected to the at least one atomizer or the gas pressure         vessel;     -   the apparatus comprises a water pump fluidically connected to         the at least one atomizer;     -   the apparatus comprises a fan or compressor fluidically         connected to the at least one atomizer;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having         3 to 60 atomizer nozzles;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having         3 to 10, 3 to 15, 10 to 20, 15 to 25, 20 to 30, 25 to 35, 30 to         40, 35 to 45, 40 to 50, 45 to 55 or 50 to 60 atomizer nozzles;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having         3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first         atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are         disposed in the quench chamber and are spaced apart from one         another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each         atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer independently forms an         angle of 0 to 20 degrees with the reference axis and a         longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the second atomizer         independently forms an angle of 160 to 180 degrees with the         reference axis;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having         3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first         atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are         disposed in the quench chamber and are spaced apart from one         another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each         atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer independently forms an         angle of 0 to 30 degrees with the reference axis and a         longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the second atomizer         independently forms an angle of 150 to 180 degrees with the         reference axis;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having         3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first         atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are         disposed in the quench chamber and are spaced apart from one         another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each         atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer independently forms an         angle of 0 to 45 degrees with the reference axis and a         longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the second atomizer         independently forms an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with the         reference axis;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having         3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first         atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are         disposed in the quench chamber and are spaced apart from one         another along a vertical reference axis, a longitudinal axis of         each atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer independently forms         an angle of 0 to 20 degrees with the vertical reference axis and         a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the second         atomizer independently forms an angle of 160 to 180 degrees with         the vertical reference axis;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having         3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first         atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are         disposed in the quench chamber and are spaced apart from one         another along a vertical reference axis, a longitudinal axis of         each atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer independently forms         an angle of 0 to 30 degrees with the vertical reference axis and         a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the second         atomizer independently forms an angle of 150 to 180 degrees with         the vertical reference axis;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having         3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first         atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are         disposed in the quench chamber and are spaced apart from one         another along a vertical reference axis, a longitudinal axis of         each atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer independently forms         an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with the vertical reference axis and         a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the second         atomizer independently forms an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with         the vertical reference axis;     -   a minimum distance between the atomizer nozzles of the first         atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer is 10         to 150 cm;     -   a minimum distance between the atomizer nozzles of the first         atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer is 10         to 100 cm or 70 to 150 cm;     -   a minimum distance between the atomizer nozzles of the first         atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer is 10         to 30 cm, 20 to 40 cm, 30 to 50 cm, 40 to 60 cm, 50 to 70 cm, 60         to 80 cm, 70 to 90 cm, 80 to 100 cm, 90 to 110 cm, 100 to 120         cm, 110 to 130 cm, 120 to 140 cm or 130 to 150 cm;     -   outlets of the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are         disposed in a first horizontal plane;     -   outlets of the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are         disposed in a second horizontal plane;     -   outlets of the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are         disposed in a first horizontal plane, outlets of the atomizer         nozzles of the second atomizer are disposed in a second         horizontal plane, and the quench apparatus comprises a         receptacle for a charge carrier disposed between the first and         second horizontal planes in vertical direction;     -   outlets of the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are         disposed in a first horizontal plane, outlets of the atomizer         nozzles of the second atomizer are disposed in a second         horizontal plane, the quench apparatus comprises a first and         second receptacle for a first and second charge carrier, and the         first and second receptacles are disposed in vertical direction         between the first and second horizontal planes.     -   the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are arranged in a         two-dimensional regular pattern;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are arranged in a         two-dimensional regular pattern;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are arranged in a         two-dimensional rectangular pattern;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are arranged in a         two-dimensional rectangular pattern;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are arranged in a         two-dimensional hexagonal pattern;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are arranged in a         two-dimensional hexagonal pattern;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are designed and         configured in the same manner;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are designed and         configured in the same manner;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are designed,         configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of         0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are designed,         configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of         0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are designed,         configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of         0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist in such a way that         a vertical component v_(z) of a flow rate of the water spray         mist has a value of 0.8×v_(z) to 1.2×v_(z) with 0.5 m/s≤v_(z)≤35         m/s;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are designed,         configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of         0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist in such a way that         a vertical component v_(z) of a flow rate of the water spray         mist has a value of 0.8×v_(z) to 1.2×v_(z) with 0.5 m/s≤v_(z)≤15         m/s, 10 m/s≤v_(z)≤25 m/s or 20 m/s v_(z) 35 m/s;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are designed,         configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of         0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist in such a way that         a vertical component v_(z) of a flow rate of the water spray         mist has a value of 0.8×v_(z) to 1.2×v_(z) with 0.5 m/s≤v_(z)≤4         m/s, 2 m/s≤v_(z)≤6 m/s, 4 m/s≤v_(z)≤8 m/s, 6 m/s≤v_(z)≤10 m/s, 8         m/s≤v_(z)≤12 m/s, 10 m/s v_(z) 14 m/s, 12 m/s≤v_(z)≤16 m/s, 14         m/s≤v_(z)≤18 m/s, 16 m/s≤v_(z) 20 m/s, 18 m/s≤v_(z)≤22 m/s, 20         m/s≤v_(z)≤24 m/s, 22 m/s≤v_(z)≤26 m/s, 24 m/s≤v_(z)≤28 m/s, 26         m/s v_(z)≤30 m/s, 28 m/s≤v_(z)≤32 m/s or 30 m/s≤v_(z)≤35 m/s;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are designed,         configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of         0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist in such a way that         a vertical component v_(z) of a flow rate of the water spray         mist has a value of 0.8×v_(z) to 1.2×v_(z) with 0.5 m/s≤v_(z)≤35         m/s;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are designed,         configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of         0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist in such a way that         a vertical component v_(z) of a flow rate of the water spray         mist has a value of 0.8×v_(z) to 1.2×v_(z) with 0.5 m/s≤v_(z)≤15         m/s, 10 m/s≤v_(z)≤25 m/s or 20 m/s v_(z)≤35 m/s;     -   the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are designed,         configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of         0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist in such a way that         a vertical component v_(z) of a flow rate of the water spray         mist has a value of 0.8×v_(z) to 1.2×v_(z) with 0.5 m/s≤v_(z)≤4         m/s, 2 m/s≤v_(z)≤6 m/s, 4 m/s≤v_(z)≤8 m/s, 6 m/s≤v_(z)≤10 m/s, 8         m/s≤v_(z)≤12 m/s, 10 m/s v_(z) 14 m/s, 12 m/s≤v_(z)≤16 m/s, 14         m/s≤v_(z)≤18 m/s, 16 m/s v_(z) 20 m/s, 18 m/s≤v_(z)≤22 m/s, 20         m/s≤v_(z)≤24 m/s, 22 m/s≤v_(z)≤26 m/s, 24 m/s≤v_(z)≤28 m/s, 26         m/s v_(z) 30 m/s, 28 m/s≤v_(z)≤32 m/s or 30 m/s≤v_(z)≤35 m/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one nozzle chamber which is         disposed in the quench chamber and is fluidically connected to         the at least one atomizer and has 6 to 10 000 spray nozzles each         having a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm² to 25 π mm²;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the         first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one         another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each         spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently forms an         angle of 0 to 20 degrees with the reference axis and a         longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle         chamber independently forms an angle of 160 to 180 degrees with         the reference axis;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the         first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one         another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each         spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently forms an         angle of 0 to 30 degrees with the reference axis and a         longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle         chamber independently forms an angle of 150 to 180 degrees with         the reference axis;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the         first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one         another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each         spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently forms an         angle of 0 to 45 degrees with the reference axis and a         longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle         chamber independently forms an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with         the reference axis;     -   a minimum distance between the spray nozzles of the first nozzle         chamber and the spray nozzles of the second nozzle chamber is 10         to 50 cm;     -   a minimum distance between an outlet of the at least one         atomizer and an outlet of the nozzle chamber is 5 to 50 cm;     -   a minimum distance between an outlet of the at least one         atomizer and an outlet of the nozzle chamber is 10 to 50 cm, 15         to 50 cm, 20 to 50 cm, 25 to 50 cm, 30 to 50 cm, 35 to 50 cm, 40         to 50 cm or 45 to 50 cm;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second conduit,         the second conduit connects the gas pressure vessel to the         nozzle chamber, the first conduit connects the water pressure         vessel to the second conduit, and a control valve is disposed in         the first conduit;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second conduit,         the second conduit connects the gas pressure vessel to the         nozzle chamber, the first conduit connects the water pressure         vessel to the second conduit, a first control valve is disposed         in the first conduit and a second control valve is disposed in         the second conduit between the gas pressure vessel and a mouth         of the first conduit;     -   conduit, the second conduit connects the gas pressure vessel to         the nozzle chamber, the first conduit connects the water         pressure vessel to a mouth into the second conduit in the form         of an atomizer nozzle, and a control valve is disposed in the         first conduit;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second conduit,         the second conduit connects the gas pressure vessel to the         nozzle chamber, the first conduit connects the water pressure         vessel to a mouth into the second conduit in the form of an         atomizer nozzle, a first control valve is disposed in the first         conduit and a second control valve is disposed in the second         conduit between the gas pressure vessel and the mouth of the         first conduit;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second conduit,         the second conduit connects the gas pressure vessel to the         nozzle chamber, a Venturi nozzle is disposed in the second         conduit, the first conduit connects the water pressure vessel to         the Venturi nozzle, and a control valve is disposed in the first         conduit;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second conduit,         the second conduit connects the gas pressure vessel to the         nozzle chamber, a Venturi nozzle is disposed in the second         conduit, the first conduit connects the water pressure vessel to         the Venturi nozzle, a first control valve is disposed in the         first conduit and a second control valve is disposed in the         second conduit between the gas pressure vessel and the Venturi         nozzle;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second conduit,         the first conduit connects the water pressure vessel to the         nozzle chamber, the second conduit connects the gas pressure         vessel to the first conduit, and a control valve is disposed in         the second conduit;     -   conduit, the first conduit connects the water pressure vessel to         the nozzle chamber, the second conduit connects the gas pressure         vessel to the first conduit, a first control valve is disposed         in the first conduit between the water pressure vessel and a         mouth of the second conduit, and a second control valve is         disposed in the second conduit;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second conduit,         the first conduit connects the water pressure vessel to the         nozzle chamber, the second conduit connects the gas pressure         vessel to a mouth into the first conduit in the form of a gas         nozzle, and a control valve is disposed in the second conduit;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second conduit,         the first conduit connects the water pressure vessel to the         nozzle chamber, the second conduit connects the gas pressure         vessel to a mouth into the first conduit in the form of a gas         nozzle, a first control valve is disposed in the first conduit         between the water pressure vessel and the mouth of the second         conduit, and a second control valve is disposed in the second         conduit;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second conduit,         the first conduit connects the water pressure vessel to the         nozzle chamber, a Venturi nozzle is disposed in the first         conduit, the second conduit connects the gas pressure vessel to         the Venturi nozzle, and a control valve is disposed in the         second conduit;     -   conduit, the first conduit connects the water pressure vessel to         the nozzle chamber, a Venturi nozzle is disposed in the first         conduit, the second conduit connects the gas pressure vessel to         the Venturi nozzle, a first control valve is disposed in the         first conduit between the water pressure vessel and the Venturi         nozzle, and a second control valve is disposed in the second         conduit;     -   the quench chamber is equipped with one or more ventilators or         fans having a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s;     -   the quench chamber is equipped with one or more ventilators or         fans with a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 10 m³/s, 5 to         15 m³/s, 10 to 20 m³/s or 15 to 25 m³/s;     -   the quench chamber is equipped with one or more ventilators or         fans with a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 0.3 m³/s, 0.2         to 0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5 m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s,         0.6 to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to 0.9 m³/s, 0.8 to 1 m³/s, 0.9 to 1.1         m³/s, 1 to 1.2 m³/s, 1.1 to 1.3 m³/s, 1.2 to 1.4 m³/s, 1.3 to         1.5 m³/s, 1.4 to 1.6 m³/s, 1.5 to 1.7 m³/s, 1.6 to 1.8 m³/s, 1.7         to 1.9 m³/s or 1.8 to 2 m³/s;     -   the quench chamber is equipped with one or more ventilators or         fans with a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to         3 m³/s, 2 to 4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6 m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to         8 m³/s, 7 to 9 m³/s or 8 to 10 m³/s;     -   the quench chamber is equipped with one or more ventilators or         fans with a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 8 m³/s, 5 to         10 m³/s, 8 to 12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18         m³/s, 16 to 20 m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation         drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up to generate a         spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation         drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up to generate a         spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 10 m³/s, 5 to 15 m³/s, 10         to 20 m³/s or 15 to 25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation         drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up to generate a         spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 0.3 m³/s, 0.2 to 0.4         m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5 m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6 to         0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to 0.9 m³/s, 0.8 to 1 m³/s, 0.9 to 1.1 m³/s, 1 to         1.2 m³/s, 1.1 to 1.3 m³/s, 1.2 to 1.4 m³/s, 1.3 to 1.5 m³/s, 1.4         to 1.6 m³/s, 1.5 to 1.7 m³/s, 1.6 to 1.8 m³/s, 1.7 to 1.9 m³/s         or 1.8 to 2 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation         drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up to generate a         spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3 m³/s, 2 to         4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6 m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8 m³/s, 7 to         9 m³/s or 8 to 10 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation         drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up to generate a         spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 8 m³/s, 5 to 10 m³/s, 8         to 12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18 m³/s, 16 to         20 m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation drive         with a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation drive         with a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 10 m³/s, 5 to 15         m³/s, 10 to 20 m³/s or 15 to 25 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation drive         with a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 0.3 m³/s, 0.2 to         0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5 m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6         to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to 0.9 m³/s, 0.8 to 1 m³/s, 0.9 to 1.1 m³/s, 1         to 1.2 m³/s, 1.1 to 1.3 m³/s, 1.2 to 1.4 m³/s, 1.3 to 1.5 m³/s,         1.4 to 1.6 m³/s, 1.5 to 1.7 m³/s, 1.6 to 1.8 m³/s, 1.7 to 1.9         m³/s or 1.8 to 2 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation drive         with a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3         m³/s, 2 to 4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6 m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8         m³/s, 7 to 9 m³/s or 8 to 10 m³/s;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one recirculator fluidically         connected to the quench chamber and having a recirculation drive         with a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 8 m³/s, 5 to 10         m³/s, 8 to 12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18 m³/s,         16 to 20 m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25 m³/s;     -   the recirculation drive takes the form of a ventilator or fan;     -   the recirculation drive comprises one or more ventilators;     -   the recirculation drive comprises one or more fans;     -   the recirculator is fluidically connected to the quench chamber         via one, two or more recirculation conduits;     -   the recirculator comprises one or more atomizers;     -   the apparatus comprises a compressor designed and set up for the         generation of a gas pressure of 1 to 20 bar;     -   the apparatus comprises a fan designed and set up for the         generation of a gas pressure of 1 to 20 bar;     -   the compressor or fan is designed and set up for the generation         of a gas pressure of 2 to 20 bar, 3 to 20 bar, 4 to 20 bar, 5 to         20 bar, 6 to 20 bar, 7 to 20 bar, 8 to 20 bar, 9 to 20 bar, or         10 to 20 bar;     -   the apparatus comprises a gas pressure vessel designed and set         up for a gas pressure of 1 to 20 bar and connected to the         compressor or fan;     -   the gas pressure vessel is designed and set up for a gas         pressure of 2 to 20 bar, 3 to 20 bar, 4 to 20 bar, 5 to 20 bar,         6 to 20 bar, 7 to 20 bar, 8 to 20 bar, 9 to 20 bar, or 10 to 20         bar;     -   the apparatus comprises a hydraulic pump designed and set up for         the generation of a hydraulic pressure of 1 to 20 bar;     -   the hydraulic pump is designed and set up for the generation of         a hydraulic pressure of 2 to 20 bar, 3 to 20 bar, 4 to 20 bar, 5         to 20 bar, 6 to 20 bar, 7 to 20 bar, 8 to 20 bar, 9 to 20 bar,         or 10 to 20 bar;     -   the apparatus comprises a water pressure vessel designed and set         up for a hydraulic pressure of 1 to 20 bar and connected to the         hydraulic pump;     -   the water pressure vessel is designed and set up for a hydraulic         pressure of 2 to 20 bar, 3 to 20 bar, 4 to 20 bar, 5 to 20 bar,         6 to 20 bar, 7 to 20 bar, 8 to 20 bar, 9 to 20 bar, or 10 to 20         bar;     -   the at least one atomizer is fluidically connected to the gas         pressure vessel;     -   the at least one atomizer is fluidically connected to the water         pressure vessel;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a first control valve for         the control of a volume flow rate flowing in from the water         pressure vessel;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises a second control valve for         the control of a volume flow rate flowing in from the gas         pressure vessel;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises one or more atomizer nozzles         designed for the atomization of water in air or nitrogen;     -   the at least one atomizer nozzle is designed as a simple orifice         nozzle;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises one or more water nozzles         designed for the atomization of water in air or nitrogen;     -   the at least one atomizer comprises one or more Venturi nozzles         designed for the atomization of water in air or nitrogen;     -   the apparatus comprises 2 to 20 atomizers, 2 to 14 atomizers or         10 to 20 atomizers;     -   the apparatus comprises 2 to 6 atomizers, 4 to 8 atomizers, 6 to         10 atomizers, 8 to 12 atomizers, 10 to 14 atomizers, 12 to 16         atomizers, 14 to 18 atomizers or 16 to 20 atomizers;     -   the apparatus comprises 2 to 20 nozzle chambers, 2 to 14 nozzle         chambers or 10 to 20 nozzle chambers;     -   the apparatus comprises 2 to 6 nozzle chambers, 4 to 8 nozzle         chambers, 6 to 10 nozzle chambers, 8 to 12 nozzle chambers, 10         to 14 nozzle chambers, 12 to 16 nozzle chambers, 14 to 18 nozzle         chambers or 16 to 20 nozzle chambers;     -   two or more nozzle chambers are fluidically connected to an         atomizer;     -   two or more nozzle chambers are fluidically connected to the         same atomizer;     -   the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber take the         form of drillholes;     -   the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber take the         form of cylindrical drillholes;     -   the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber take the         form of photolithographically generated apertures;     -   the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber have an         orifice having a polygonal, circular or elliptical outline;     -   the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber have an         open cross-sectional area having a polygonal, circular or         elliptical outline;     -   the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber have an         extent L in the direction of a surface normal of their open         cross-sectional area with 0.5 mm≤L≤10 mm;     -   the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber have a         length L in the direction of a surface normal of their open         cross-sectional area with 0.5 mm≤L≤10 mm;     -   the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber have a         length L in the direction of a surface normal of their open         cross-sectional area with 0.5 mm≤L≤6 mm, 5 mm L 10 mm, 0.5         mm≤L≤2 mm, 1 mm≤L≤3 mm, 2 mm≤L≤4 mm, 3 mm≤L≤5 mm, 4 mm≤L≤6 mm, 5         mm≤L≤7 mm, 6 mm≤L≤8 mm, 7 mm≤L≤9 mm or 8 mm≤L≤10 mm;     -   the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber comprises 6 to 60         spray nozzles, 50 to 100 spray nozzles, 6 to 120 spray nozzles         or 100 to 200 spray nozzles;     -   the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber comprises 6 to 15         spray nozzles, 10 to 20 spray nozzles, 15 to 25 spray nozzles,         20 to 40 spray nozzles, 30 to 50 spray nozzles, 40 to 60 spray         nozzles, 50 to 70 spray nozzles, 60 to 80 spray nozzles, 70 to         90 spray nozzles or 80 to 100 spray nozzles;     -   the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber comprises 6 to 400         spray nozzles, 200 to 600 spray nozzles, 500 to 900 spray         nozzles, 700 to 1100 spray nozzles, 900 to 1300 spray nozzles,         1100 to 1500 spray nozzles, 1300 to 1700 spray nozzles, 1500 to         1900 spray nozzles, 1700 to 2100 spray nozzles, 1000 to 3000         spray nozzles, 2000 to 4000 spray nozzles, 3000 to 5000 spray         nozzles, 4000 to 6000 spray nozzles, 5000 to 7000 spray nozzles,         6000 to 8000 spray nozzles, 7000 to 9000 spray nozzles or 8000         to 10 000 spray nozzles;     -   each spray nozzle of the nozzle chamber independently has a         cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm² to 10 π mm², 5 π mm² to 15 π         mm², 10 π mm² to 20 π mm² or 15 π mm² to 25 π mm²; each spray         nozzle of the nozzle chamber independently has a cross-sectional         area of 0.25 π mm² to 2 π mm², 1 π mm² to 3 π mm², 2 π mm² to 4         π mm², 3 π mm² to 5 π mm², 4 π mm² to 6 π mm², 5 π mm² to 7 π         mm², 6 π mm² to 8 π mm², 7 π mm² to 9 π mm², 8 π mm² to 10 π         mm², 9 π mm² to 11 π mm², 10 π mm² to 12 π mm², 11 π mm² to 13 π         mm², 12 π mm² to 14 π mm², 13 π mm² to 15 π mm², 14 π mm² to 16         π mm², 15 π mm² to 17 π mm², 16 π mm² to 18 π mm², 17 π mm² to         19 π mm², 18 π mm² to 20 π mm², 19 π mm² to 21 π mm², 20 π mm²         to 22 π mm², 21 π mm² to 23 π mm², 22 π mm² to 24 π mm² or 23 π         mm² to 25 π mm²;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the         first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one         another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each         spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently forms an         angle of 0 to 20 degrees with the reference axis and a         longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle         chamber independently forms an angle of 160 to 180 degrees with         the reference axis;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the         first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one         another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each         spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently forms an         angle of 0 to 30 degrees with the reference axis and a         longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle         chamber independently forms an angle of 150 to 180 degrees with         the reference axis;     -   the apparatus comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the         first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one         another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each         spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently forms an         angle of 0 to 45 degrees with the reference axis and a         longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle         chamber independently forms an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with         the reference axis;     -   a clear distance between the first and second nozzle chambers         along the reference axis is 10 to 100 cm;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a perforated plate         having 6 to 10 000 holes;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a perforated plate         having 6 to 10 000 holes each with a cross-sectional area of         0.25 π mm² to 25 π mm²;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a grid having 6 to 10         000 mesh openings;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a grid having 6 to 10         000 mesh openings each with a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm²         to 25 π mm²;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a first and second         perforated plate each having 6 to 10 000 holes, where the second         perforated plate is movable relative to the first perforated         plate;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a first, second and         third perforated plate each having 6 to 10 000 holes, where the         second and third perforated plates are independently movable         relative to the first perforated plate;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises one, two or three         perforated plates, each in the form of a sheet of a polymeric,         metallic or ceramic material and equipped with 6 to 10 000         drilled holes;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises one, two or three         perforated plates, each in the form of a sheet of a polymeric,         metallic or ceramic material and equipped with 6 to 10 000         etched holes;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a first and second         grid each having 6 to 10 000 mesh openings, where the second         grid is movable relative to the first grid;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a first, second and         third grid each having 6 to 10 000 holes, where the second and         third grids are independently movable relative to the first         grid;     -   the at least one nozzle chamber comprises one, two or three         grids, each manufactured from a polymeric or metallic material         and each having 6 to 10 000 mesh openings;     -   the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has a porosity of         4% to 90%;     -   the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has a porosity of         4% to 50% or 40% to 90%;     -   the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has a porosity of         4% to 15%, 10% to 20%, 15% to 25%, 20% to 30%, 25% to 35%, 30%         to 40%, 35% to 45%, 40% to 50%, 45% to 55%, 50% to 60%, 55% to         65%; 60% to 70%, 65% to 75%, 70% to 80%, 75% to 85% or 80% to         90%;     -   the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has an area of         0.01 to 2 m²;     -   the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has an area of         0.01 to 1.1 m² or 0.9 to 2.0 m²;     -   the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has an area of         0.01 to 0.2 m², 0.1 to 0.3 m², 0.2 to 0.4 m², 0.3 to 0.5 m², 0.4         to 0.6 m², 0.5 to 0.7 m², 0.6 to 0.8 m², 0.7 to 0.9 m², 0.8 to         1.0 m², 0.9 to 1.1 m², 1.0 to 1.2 m², 1.1 to 1.3 m², 1.2 to 1.4         m², 1.3 to 1.5 m², 1.4 to 1.6 m², 1.5 to 1.7 m², 1.6 to 1.8 m²,         1.7 to 1.9 m² or 1.8 to 2.0 m²,     -   the at least one nozzle chamber is annular;     -   the apparatus comprises 2 to 20 annular nozzle chambers in a         concentric arrangement;     -   the apparatus comprises 2 to 20, 2 to 14 or 10 to 20 annular         nozzle chambers in a concentric arrangement;     -   the apparatus comprises 2 to 6, 4 to 8, 6 to 10, 8 to 12, 10 to         14, 12 to 16, 14 to 18 or 16 to 20 annular nozzle chambers in a         concentric arrangement;     -   the apparatus comprises a housing;     -   the apparatus comprises a housing having one or two openings;     -   the apparatus comprises a housing having one or two openings for         loading with a charge carrier with workpieces disposed thereon;     -   the apparatus comprises a housing having one or two doors for         closing the one or two openings;     -   the apparatus comprises one or more charge carrier receptacles         for one or more charge carriers;     -   the apparatus comprises one charge carrier receptacle for a         charge carrier with workpieces disposed thereon;     -   one or more nozzle chambers are disposed above the receptacle         for the charge carrier in the direction of a vertical reference         axis;     -   one or more nozzle chambers are disposed below the receptacle         for the charge carrier in the direction of a vertical reference         axis;     -   at least one first nozzle chamber is disposed above and at least         one second nozzle chamber below the receptacle for the charge         carrier in the direction of a vertical reference axis, a         longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle         chamber independently forms an angle of 0 to 20 degrees with the         vertical reference axis, and a longitudinal axis of each spray         nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently forms an angle         of 160 to 180 degrees with the vertical reference axis;     -   at least one first nozzle chamber is disposed above and at least         one second nozzle chamber below the receptacle for the charge         carrier in the direction of a vertical reference axis, a         longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle         chamber independently forms an angle of 0 to 30 degrees with the         vertical reference axis, and a longitudinal axis of each spray         nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently forms an angle         of 150 to 180 degrees with the vertical reference axis;     -   at least one first nozzle chamber is disposed above and at least         one second nozzle chamber below the receptacle for the charge         carrier in the direction of a vertical reference axis, a         longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle         chamber independently forms an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with the         vertical reference axis, and a longitudinal axis of each spray         nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently forms an angle         of 135 to 180 degrees with the vertical reference axis;     -   the quench chamber comprises a tank for condensed water;     -   the quench chamber comprises a tank for condensed water disposed         in a lower region of the quench chamber;     -   the quench chamber comprises a tank for condensed water and the         tank takes the form of the lower base of the quench chamber;     -   the quench chamber comprises a tank for condensed water and the         tank is fluidically connected to a water separator;     -   the quench chamber comprises a tank for condensed water and the         tank is fluidically connected to a heat exchanger for condensed         water cooling;     -   the quench chamber comprises a tank for condensed water and the         tank is fluidically connected to a water filter;     -   the quench chamber comprises a tank for condensed water and the         tank is fluidically connected to a storage vessel;     -   the water separator is disposed hydraulically between the tank         and the storage vessel;     -   the heat exchanger is disposed hydraulically between the tank         and the storage vessel;     -   the water filter is disposed hydraulically between the tank and         the storage vessel;     -   the quench chamber comprises a tank for condensed water, the         tank is fluidically connected to a storage vessel and the at         least one atomizer, where the storage vessel is disposed         hydraulically between the tank and the at least one atomizer;     -   the apparatus comprises a water tank;     -   the water tank is fluidically connected to the hydraulic pump;     -   the water tank is connected via a supply conduit to the         hydraulic pump;     -   the apparatus comprises a water separator;     -   the water separator takes the form of a swirl droplet separator;     -   the water separator comprises a water-cooled heat exchanger;     -   the water separator is fluidically connected to the water tank;     -   the water separator is connected via a return conduit to the         water tank;     -   a delivery pump is disposed in the return conduit;     -   a water filter is disposed in the return conduit;     -   the apparatus comprises an electronic controller;     -   the electronic controller is designed and set up to control the         at least one atomizer;     -   the electronic controller is designed and set up to control the         at least one atomizer depending on the temperature of workpieces         disposed on a charge carrier when the charge carrier is held in         a charge carrier receptacle of the apparatus;     -   an electrical input of each control valve is connected to an         output of the electronic controller;     -   the gas pressure vessel is equipped with a gas pressure sensor;     -   the water pressure vessel is equipped with a hydraulic pressure         sensor;     -   the at least one atomizer is equipped with one or more flow         sensors for air or oxygen;     -   the at least one atomizer is equipped with one or more flow         sensors for water     -   the at least one atomizer comprises one or more atomizer nozzles         having a swirl insert;     -   an electrical output of the gas pressure sensor is connected to         an electrical input of the electronic controller;     -   an electrical output of the hydraulic pressure sensor is         connected to an electrical input of the electronic controller;     -   an electrical output of the one or more flow sensors for air or         nitrogen is connected to an electrical input of the electronic         controller.     -   an electrical output of the one or more flow sensors for water         is connected to an electrical input of the electronic         controller;     -   the compressor or fan is electronically controllable and an         electrical input of the compressor or fan is connected to an         electrical output of the electronic controller;     -   the hydraulic pump is electronically controllable and an         electrical input of the hydraulic pump is connected to an         electrical output of the electronic controller;     -   a swirl insert of the one or more atomizer nozzles is         electronically controllable and an electrical input of the swirl         insert is connected to an electrical output of the electronic         controller;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one infrared sensor;     -   the at least one infrared sensor is designed and set up to         measure the temperature of workpieces disposed on a charge         carrier when the charge carrier is held in a charge carrier         receptacle of the apparatus;     -   an electrical output of the at least one infrared sensor is         connected to an electrical input of the electronic controller;     -   the apparatus comprises at least one digital infrared camera;     -   the at least one digital infrared camera is designed and set up         to record thermographic images of workpieces disposed on a         charge carrier when the charge carrier is held in a charge         carrier receptacle of the apparatus;     -   the apparatus comprises an image processing system for         thermographic images;     -   the image processing system comprises a processor, electronic         memory and image processing software; and/or     -   an electrical output of the image processing system is connected         to an electrical input of the electronic controller.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system suitable for industrial use for thermal or thermochemical treatment of metallic workpieces with subsequent water spray quenching.

This object is achieved by a system for thermal or thermochemical treatment of metallic workpieces with subsequent water spray quenching, comprising

-   -   one or more charge carriers for the storage of workpieces;     -   an oven for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of         workpieces disposed on one or more charge carriers, wherein the         oven is designed and set up to heat up the workpieces to a         temperature of 750 to 1100° C.;     -   an apparatus for water spray quenching having the features         described above; and     -   an automated transfer apparatus designed and set up to transfer         workpieces disposed on one or more charge carriers within a         period of 10 to 60 s from the oven into a quench chamber of the         apparatus for water spray quenching.         Appropriate embodiments of the system of the invention are         characterized by the following features in any combination,         provided that the features are not mutually exclusive, and         according to which:     -   the at least one charge carrier takes the form of a grid;     -   the at least one charge carrier consists of graphite, carbon         fiber-reinforced carbon (CFRC) or high-nickel steel;     -   the oven is designed and set up to treat workpieces in an         atmosphere under standard pressure (0.9 to 1.1 atm) or low         pressure (0 to 200 mbar);     -   the oven is designed and set up to carburize workpieces;     -   the oven is designed and set up to nitride workpieces;     -   the oven is designed and set up to carbonitride workpieces;     -   the oven is designed and set up to contact workpieces with a         carbonaceous donor gas containing acetylene (C₂H₂) for example;     -   the oven is designed and set up to contact workpieces with a         nitrogenous donor gas containing ammonia (NH₃) or nitrogen (N₂)         for example;     -   the oven is designed and set up to contact workpieces with a         partially ionized gas atmosphere and especially to nitride with         plasma excitation;     -   the at least one automated rail-bound delivery vehicle comprises         a horizontally movable telescopic fork;     -   the oven comprises a lock for one or more charge carriers that         are laden with workpieces and have a pressure-tight chamber and         two doors or slides that close in a pressure-tight manner;     -   the apparatus for water spray quenching comprises a quench         chamber for accommodating one or more charge carriers laden with         workpieces;     -   the apparatus for water spray quenching comprises a quench         chamber equipped with a door;     -   a distance between the oven and the apparatus for water spray         quenching is 0 to 20 m;     -   a distance between the oven and the apparatus for water spray         quenching is 0 to 10 m, 8 to 16 m or 12 to 20 m;     -   a distance between the oven and the apparatus for water spray         quenching is 0 to 6 m, 4 to 8 m, 6 to 10 m, 8 to 12 m, 10 to 14         m, 12 to 16 m, 14 to 18 m or 16 to 20 m;     -   a distance between a lock of the oven and a door of the         quenching chamber is 0 to 20 m;     -   a distance between a lock of the oven and a door of the         quenching chamber is 0 to 10 m, 8 to 16 m or 12 to 20 m;     -   a distance between a lock of the oven and a door of the         quenching chamber is 0 to 6 m, 4 to 8 m, 6 to 10 m, 8 to 12 m,         10 to 14 m, 12 to 16 m, 14 to 18 m or 16 to 20 m;     -   the apparatus for water spray quenching is connected to the oven         via an automated lock;     -   the apparatus for water spray quenching is connected to the oven         via an automated lock, wherein the lock comprises a         pressure-tight chamber and two doors or slides that close in a         pressure-tight manner;     -   the apparatus for water spray quenching is connected to the oven         via an automated lock, wherein the lock comprises a conveying         apparatus for horizontal transport of one or more charge         carriers laden with workpieces;     -   the system comprises one or more robots for the transfer of one         or more charge carriers laden with workpieces from the oven to         the apparatus for water spray quenching;     -   the system comprises one or more automated floor-bound delivery         vehicles for the transfer of one or more charge carriers laden         with workpieces from the oven to the apparatus for water spray         quenching;     -   the at least one automated floor-bound delivery vehicles         comprises a horizontally movable telescopic fork;     -   the system comprises one or more automated rail-bound delivery         vehicles for the transfer of one or more charge carriers laden         with workpieces from the oven to the apparatus for water spray         quenching; and     -   the at least one automated rail-mounted delivery vehicle         comprises a horizontally movable telescopic fork.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method suitable for industrial use for water spray quenching of thermochemically treated metallic workpieces.

This object is achieved by a method of water spray quenching of thermally or thermochemically treated metallic workpieces, comprising the steps of:

-   -   disposing one or more thermochemically treated workpieces in a         charge volume V₀ of a quench apparatus;     -   atomizing water in air or nitrogen in order to produce a spray         mist;     -   passing spray mist through the charge volume V₀; wherein     -   the charge volume V₀ is 0.045 to 3.5 m³ (0.045 m³≤V₀≤3.5 m³);     -   the spray mist has a water content of 2.5% to 40% by volume;     -   the spray mist has a Sauter diameter of 20 to 2000 μm; and     -   a spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ is 0.05 to 25         m³/s or the spray mist is recirculated in the charge volume V₀         at a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s.

Appropriate embodiments of the method of the invention are characterized by the following features in any combination, provided that the features are not mutually exclusive, and according to which:

-   -   the one or more workpieces are cooled down from a temperature of         750 to 1100° C. to a temperature of 20° C. to 250° C.;     -   the one or more workpieces are cooled down from a temperature of         980° C. to a temperature of 100° C.;     -   the one or more workpieces are cooled down from a temperature of         750 to 1100° C. to a temperature of 20° C. to 250° C. within a         period of 15 to 60 s;     -   the one or more workpieces are cooled down from a temperature of         980° C. to a temperature of 100° C. within a period of 15 to 60         s;     -   the one or more workpieces are cooled down from a temperature of         750 to 1100° C. to a temperature of 20° C. to 250° C. within a         period of 15 to 30 s, 20 to 40 s, 30 to 50 s or 40 to 60 s;     -   the one or more workpieces are cooled down from a temperature of         980° C. to a temperature of 100° C. within a period of 15 to 30         s, 20 to 40 s, 30 to 50 s or 40 to 60 s;     -   a charge carrier in grid form with a workpiece mounted thereon         is disposed in the charge volume V₀;     -   a charge carrier in grid form with multiple workpieces mounted         thereon alongside one another is disposed in the charge volume         V₀;     -   two or more charge carriers in grid form with workpieces mounted         thereon are disposed vertically one on top of another in the         charge volume V₀;     -   two or more charge carriers in grid form are disposed in the         charge volume V₀, and one or more workpieces are independently         mounted on each charge carrier;     -   two or more charge carriers in grid form are disposed in the         charge volume V₀, and two or more workpieces are independently         mounted alongside one another on each charge carrier;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a width of 40 to 80 cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a depth of 40 to 120         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a height of 10 to 80         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cylindrical and has a diameter of 40 to         120 cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cylindrical and has a height of 10 to 80         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a width of 40 to 150         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a depth of 40 to 150         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cuboidal and has a height of 10 to 150         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cylindrical and has a width of 40 to 200         cm;     -   the charge volume V₀ is cylindrical and has a height of 10 to         150 cm;     -   one or more atomizers generate 0.05 to 25 m³/s of spray mist;     -   one or more atomizers generate 0.05 to 0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5         m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6 to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to         0.9 m³/s or 0.8 to 1 m³/s of spray mist;     -   one or more atomizers generate 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3 m³/s, 2 to         4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6 m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8 m³/s, 7 to         9 m³/s or 9 to 10 m³/s of spray mist;     -   one or more atomizers generate 0.05 to 4 m³/s, 2 to 6 m³/s, 4 to         8 m³/s, 6 to 10 m³/s, 8 to 12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16         m³/s, 14 to 18 m³/s, 16 to 20 m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25         m³/s of spray mist;     -   a spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ is 0.05 to 10         m³/s, 5 to 15 m³/s, 10 to 20 m³/s or 15 to 25 m³/s;     -   a spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ is 0.05 to 0.4         m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5 m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6 to         0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to 0.9 m³/s, 0.8 to 1 m³/s, 0.9 to 1.1 m³/s, 1 to         1.2 m³/s, 1.1 to 1.3 m³/s, 1.2 to 1.4 m³/s, 1.3 to 1.5 m³/s, 1.4         to 1.6 m³/s, 1.5 to 1.7 m³/s, 1.6 to 1.8 m³/s, 1.7 to 1.9 m³/s         or 1.8 to 2 m³/s;     -   a spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ is 0.05 to 2         m³/s, 1 to 3 m³/s, 2 to 4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6 m³/s, 5 to 7         m³/s, 6 to 8 m³/s, 7 to 9 m³/s or 8 to 10 m³/s;     -   a spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ is 0.05 to 8         m³/s, 5 to 10 m³/s, 8 to 12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s,         14 to 18 m³/s, 16 to 20 m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25 m³/s;     -   a spray mist is recirculated in the charge volume V₀ with a         spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 10 m³/s, 5 to 15 m³/s, 10         to 20 m³/s or 15 to 25 m³/s;     -   a spray mist is recirculated in the charge volume V₀ with a         spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5         m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6 to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to         0.9 m³/s, 0.8 to 1 m³/s, 0.9 to 1.1 m³/s, 1 to 1.2 m³/s, 1.1 to         1.3 m³/s, 1.2 to 1.4 m³/s, 1.3 to 1.5 m³/s, 1.4 to 1.6 m³/s, 1.5         to 1.7 m³/s, 1.6 to 1.8 m³/s, 1.7 to 1.9 m³/s or 1.8 to 2 m³/s;     -   a spray mist is recirculated in the charge volume V₀ with a         spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3 m³/s, 2 to         4 m³/s, 3 to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6 m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8 m³/s, 7 to         9 m³/s or 8 to 10 m³/s;     -   a spray mist is recirculated in the charge volume V₀ with a         spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 8 m³/s, 5 to 10 m³/s, 8         to 12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18 m³/s, 16 to         20 m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25 m³/s;     -   the spray mist is recirculated in the quench chamber with the         aid of one or more ventilators or fans having a spray mist         volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s;     -   the spray mist is recirculated in the quench chamber with the         aid of one or more ventilators or fans having a spray mist         volume flow rate of 0.05 to 10 m³/s, 5 to 15 m³/s, 10 to 20 m³/s         or 15 to 25 m³/s;     -   the spray mist is recirculated in the quench chamber with the         aid of one or more ventilators or fans having a spray mist         volume flow rate of 0.05 to 0.3 m³/s, 0.2 to 0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to         0.5 m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6 to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7         to 0.9 m³/s, 0.8 to 1 m³/s, 0.9 to 1.1 m³/s, 1 to 1.2 m³/s, 1.1         to 1.3 m³/s, 1.2 to 1.4 m³/s, 1.3 to 1.5 m³/s, 1.4 to 1.6 m³/s,         1.5 to 1.7 m³/s, 1.6 to 1.8 m³/s, 1.7 to 1.9 m³/s or 1.8 to 2         m³/s;     -   the spray mist is recirculated in the quench chamber with the         aid of one or more ventilators or fans having a spray mist         volume flow rate of 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3 m³/s, 2 to 4 m³/s, 3         to 5 m³/s, 4 to 6 m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8 m³/s, 7 to 9 m³/s or         8 to 10 m³/s;     -   the spray mist is recirculated in the quench chamber with the         aid of one or more ventilators or fans having a spray mist         volume flow rate of 0.05 to 8 m³/s, 5 to 10 m³/s, 8 to 12 m³/s,         10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18 m³/s, 16 to 20 m³/s, 18         to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25 m³/s;     -   a spray mist is generated with a starting temperature or         atomization temperature of 10 to 30° C.;     -   a spray mist is generated with a inlet temperature or         atomization temperature of 10 to 30° C.;     -   an outlet temperature of the spray mist at an outlet from the         quench chamber is 50 to 120° C.;     -   an outlet temperature of the spray mist at an outlet from the         quench chamber is 50 to 70° C., 60 to 80° C., 70 to 90° C., 80         to 100° C., 90 to 110° C. or 100 to 120° C.;     -   a spray mist throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the         quench chamber is 0.05 to 25 m³/s;     -   a spray mist throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the         quench chamber is 0.05 to 0.3 m³/s, 0.2 to 0.4 m³/s, 0.3 to 0.5         m³/s, 0.4 to 0.6 m³/s, 0.5 to 0.7 m³/s, 0.6 to 0.8 m³/s, 0.7 to         0.9 m³/s or 0.8 to 1 m³/s;     -   a spray mist throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the         quench chamber is 0.05 to 2 m³/s, 1 to 3 m³/s, 2 to 4 m³/s, 3 to         5 m³/s, 4 to 6 m³/s, 5 to 7 m³/s, 6 to 8 m³/s, 7 to 9 m³/s or 9         to 10 m³/s;     -   a spray mist throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the         quench chamber is 0.05 to 4 m³/s, 2 to 6 m³/s, 4 to 8 m³/s, 6 to         10 m³/s, 8 to 12 m³/s, 10 to 14 m³/s, 12 to 16 m³/s, 14 to 18         m³/s, 16 to 20 m³/s, 18 to 22 m³/s or 20 to 25 m³/s;     -   the spray mist is recirculated by means of a recirculation         drive;     -   the spray mist is recirculated by means of a recirculation         ventilator or recirculation fan;     -   the spray mist is recirculated with the aid of the recirculation         drive in such a way that a ratio (quotient or recirculation         number) of spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ and         spray mist throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the         quench chamber has a value in the range from 1.5 to 20;     -   the spray mist is recirculated with the aid of the recirculation         drive in such a way that a ratio (quotient or recirculation         number) of spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ and         spray mist throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the         quench chamber has a value in the range from 1.5 to 6, 4 to 8, 6         to 10, 8 to 12, 10 to 14, 12 to 16, 14 to 18 or 16 to 20;     -   an average pressure in the charge volume V₀ is 0.8 to 1.2 bar;     -   the one or more workpieces are contacted with the spray mist of         a first and second nozzle chamber, wherein the first nozzle         chamber is disposed above the workpieces and the second nozzle         chamber below the workpieces.     -   an internal pressure in the nozzle chamber is 2 to 19 bar;     -   an internal pressure in the nozzle chamber is 2 to 11 bar or 9         to 19 bar;     -   an internal pressure in the nozzle chamber is 3 to 19 bar, 4 to         19 bar, 5 to 19 bar, 6 to 19 bar, 7 to 19 bar, 8 to 19 bar, 9 to         19 bar, 10 to 19 bar, 11 to 19 bar, 12 to 19 bar, 13 to 19 bar,         14 to 19 bar, 15 to 19 bar, 16 to 19 bar, 17 to 19 bar or 18 to         19 bar;     -   the Sauter diameter of the water spray mist is 20 to 1100 μm or         900 to 2000 μm;     -   the Sauter diameter of the water spray mist is 20 to 200 μm, 100         to 300 μm, 200 to 400 μm, 300 to 500 μm, 400 to 600 μm, 500 to         700 μm, 600 to 800 μm, 700 to 900 μm, 800 to 1000 μm, 900 to         1100 μm, 1000 to 1200 μm, 1100 to 1300 μm, 1200 to 1400 μm, 1300         to 1500 μm, 1400 to 1600 μm, 1500 to 1700 μm, 1600 to 1800 μm,         1700 to 1900 μm or 1800 to 2000 μm;     -   the Sauter diameter of the water spray mist is 20 to 60 μm, 40         to 80 μm, 60 to 100 μm, 80 to 120 μm, 100 to 140 μm, 120 to 160         μm, 140 to 180 μm, 160 to 200 μm, 180 to 220 μm, 200 to 240 μm,         220 to 260 μm, 240 to 280 μm or 260 to 300 μm;     -   a minimum distance between the at least one nozzle chamber and         the one or more workpieces is 5 to 50 cm;     -   a minimum distance between the at least one nozzle chamber and         the one or more workpieces is 5 to 30 cm or 20 to 50 cm;     -   a minimum distance between the at least one nozzle chamber and         the one or more workpieces is 5 to 15 cm, 10 to 20 cm, 15 to 25         cm, 20 to 30 cm, 25 to 35 cm, 30 to 40 cm, 35 to 45 cm or 40 to         50 cm;     -   a volume flow rate of water supplied to the at least one nozzle         chamber is controlled by means of an electronic controller;     -   a volume flow rate of air or nitrogen supplied to the at least         one nozzle chamber is controlled by means of an electronic         controller;     -   a cross-sectional area of the spray nozzles of the at least one         nozzle chamber is controlled with the aid of an electronic         controller;     -   a temperature of the one or more workpieces is measured with the         aid of one or more infrared sensors;     -   thermographic images of the one or more workpieces are recorded         with the aid of one or more digital infrared cameras;     -   thermographic images of the one or more workpieces are recorded         with the aid of a digital image processing system;     -   a volume flow rate of water fed to the at least one nozzle         chamber is controlled depending on an output signal from the at         least one infrared sensor;     -   a volume flow rate of air or nitrogen fed to the at least one         nozzle chamber is controlled depending on an output signal from         the at least one infrared sensor;     -   a cross-sectional area of the spray nozzles of the at least one         nozzle chamber is controlled depending on an output signal from         the at least one infrared sensor;     -   a volume flow rate of water fed to the at least one nozzle         chamber is controlled depending on thermographic images from the         one or more digital infrared cameras;     -   a volume flow rate of air or nitrogen fed to the at least one         nozzle chamber is controlled depending on thermographic images         from the one or more digital infrared cameras;     -   a cross-sectional area of the spray nozzles of the at least one         nozzle chamber is controlled depending on thermographic images         from the one or more digital infrared cameras;     -   a volume flow rate of water fed to the at least one nozzle         chamber is controlled depending on an output signal from the         digital image processing system;     -   a volume flow rate of air or nitrogen fed to the at least one         nozzle chamber is controlled depending on an output signal from         the digital image processing system; and/or     -   a cross-sectional area of the spray nozzles of the at least one         nozzle chamber is controlled depending on an output signal from         the digital image processing system.

The present invention overcomes problems that have to date been a barrier to the practical use of water spray quenching. In the apparatus of the invention, the spray mist is generated with the aid of an atomizer and directed or passed through the charge volume V₀ or recirculated therein in a controlled manner. The flow through the charge volume V₀ or spray mist recirculation in the charge volume V₀ is largely decoupled here from the atomization. This decoupling enables a flow of spray mist through the charge volume V₀ or spray mist recirculation in the charge volume V₀ which is controllable within a wide parameter range, combined with spatially homogeneous control of the cooling rate. In particular, it is possible to adjust the rate at which the spray mist flows through the charge volume V₀ or is recirculated therein within wide limits irrespective of the operating parameters of the atomization. With increasing flow rate, turbulence in the charge volume increases, which promotes the shearing of the insulating steam layer away from the surface of the workpieces and improves heat transfer.

Surprisingly, this functional improvement is achieved by a simple and inexpensive construction and electronic control regime.

In the context of the present invention, the term “charge volume” refers to a compact spatial region through which fluidic flow is possible in the quench chamber, in which one or more workpieces mounted on one or more charge carriers may be disposed. Accordingly, the term “charge volume” is not based on a physical feature per se, but instead refers more to a geometric configuration of a quench chamber that bounds the charge volume.

In general, the method of the invention is conducted with a level mass balance. This means that the mass flows of gas and water fed in on the inlet side or to the one or more atomizers and those removed at an outlet of the quench chamber are equal. In the context of the invention, mass flow or mass throughput through the quench chamber or between an inlet and an outlet of the quench chamber is referred to or specified as “spray mist throughput” with the unit m³/s. For given proportions by volume of gas and water—apart from slight temperature-dependent variances—the mass throughput of water and gas is fixed by the “spray mist throughput”.

Unlike the term “spray mist throughput”, the term “spray mist flow rate” relates to the charge volume. When an optional recirculator, or a ventilator or fan optionally disposed in the quench chamber, is used, the “spray mist flow rate” through the charge volume may be several times the “spray mist throughput” based on one inlet or outlet of the quench chamber. Appropriately, in the context of the invention, the ratio or quotient of “spray mist flow rate” to “spray mist throughput” is also referred to as “recirculation number”. Alternatively, rather than the term “spray mist flow rate”, the term “spray mist turnover” or “spray mist turnover in the charge volume V₀” is also used.

The term “spray mist volume flow rate” used in the present invention relates to the construction and electrical design of a recirculation drive, of one or more ventilators or of one or more fans to respectively

-   -   accept a spray mist volume flow rate in the range from 0.05 to         25 m³/s at an inlet of the recirculation drive, ventilator or         fan fluidically connected to the charge volume or quench         chamber; and     -   expel a spray mist volume flow rate in the range from 0.05 to 25         m³/s at an outlet of the recirculation drive, ventilator or fan         fluidically connected to the charge volume or quench chamber.

Accordingly, the recirculation drive, the at least one ventilator or the at least one fan functions as flow drive for the spray mist.

Preferably, the recirculation drive is connected via two pipe conduits to the quench chamber. By contrast, one or more ventilators or fans intended for spray mist recirculation are preferably disposed on a wall of the quench chamber or within the quench chamber.

In the context of the present invention, the term “atomizer” means an assembly comprising one or more atomizer nozzles. In particular, an “atomizer” may comprise a register having up to 60 atomizer nozzles arranged in a matrix.

In the context of the present invention, the term “inlet” refers to part of the apparatus of the invention through which water and air or nitrogen are supplied to the quench chamber and a recirculator optionally fluidically connected to the quench chamber. In particular, the inlet may comprise one or more fluid conduits or one or more atomizers.

In the context of the present invention, the term “outlet” refers to part of the apparatus of the invention through which spray mist is removed from the quench chamber and a recirculator optionally fluidically connected to the quench chamber.

According to the invention, the “inlet” and “outlet” may each be fluidically connected or coupled to the quench chamber or optionally to the recirculator.

In the context of the present invention, the properties of the water spray mist generated, especially the Sauter diameter, are determined with the aid of a test method based on rapid digital image processing. Measurement systems suitable for this purpose are supplied by companies including LaVision (https://www.lavision.de/) and Sympatec (https://www.sympatec.com/). Sauter diameter DMS (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauterdurchmesser) is defined as the quotient of six times the total volume and the total area of the water droplets of the spray mist, and in the case of monodisperse water droplets has the value

${SMD} = {{6\frac{\frac{4}{3}\pi r^{3}}{4\pi r^{2}}} = {{6\frac{r}{3}} = D}}$

where D denotes droplet diameter (DIN ISO 9276-2:2018-09).

The invention is elucidated in detail hereinafter by figures.

The figures show:

FIG. 1 . . . a schematic diagram of a quench apparatus;

FIG. 2 . . . an atomizer having multiple atomizer nozzles and workpieces disposed beneath;

FIG. 3 . . . two atomizers disposed above and below workpieces;

FIG. 4 . . . an apparatus having two nozzle chambers;

FIG. 5 a, 5 b a nozzle plate having multiple spray nozzles;

FIG. 6 . . . an apparatus with recirculator;

FIG. 7 . . . temperature progression of a workpiece on quenching in a first working example.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an inventive apparatus 1 for water spray quenching, having a quench chamber 2 and an atomizer 30. Disposed within the quench chamber 2 are one or more charge carriers 10 with a multitude of workpieces 11 mounted thereon within a charge volume 5 or V₀. By means of the atomizer 30, a spray mist 300 consisting of water and air or water and nitrogen is generated. As indicated by the spray mist flow arrows 310, the spray mist 300 flows through the charge volume 5/V₀ with the workpieces 11 disposed therein. Preferably, the workpieces 11 are disposed on the charge carriers 11 such that normals (normal vectors) of their proportionally largest surface areas are aligned essentially parallel to a vertical reference axis 20. According to the invention, the flow through the charge volume 5/V₀ is brought about in various ways, as described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 . All embodiments of the inventive apparatus 1 are designed and set up to pass a spray mist 300 through the charge volume 5/V₀, said spray mist 300 being characterized by the following parameters:

-   -   2.5% by volume≤water content≤40% by volume;     -   20 μm≤Sauter diameter≤2000 μm;     -   0.045 m³≤charge volume V₀≤3.5 m³;     -   0.05 m³/s≤spray mist flow rate through the charge volume     -   V₀≤25 m³/s;

The atomizer 30 is connected via a first supply conduit (not shown in FIG. 1 ) to a pressurized water vessel, and via a second supply conduit (not shown in FIG. 1 ) to an air- or nitrogen-filled pressurized gas vessel. The pressurized water and pressurized gas vessels (not shown in FIG. 1 ) are each designed for a pressure of 1 to 20 bar. Disposed in the first and second supply conduits are control valves with which the volume flow rates (1/min) of water and gas that flow to the atomizer 30 from the water and gas pressure vessel respectively are controlled. The atomizer 30 is additionally equipped with one or more atomizer nozzles (not shown in FIG. 1 ). According to the invention, various concepts known in the prior art are envisaged for the configuration and design of the atomizer nozzles, such as one-phase nozzle for water, one-phase nozzle for gas, externally mixing two-phase nozzle, internally mixing two-phase nozzle (gas on the inside, water on the outside), internally mixing two-phase nozzle (water on the inside, gas on the outside), Venturi nozzles with a main gas flow and secondary water flow, Venturi nozzles with a main water flow and secondary gas flow, orifice nozzles, spiral nozzles, nozzles with and without swirl inserts, and rotary nozzles. The atomizer 30 is designed and set up to assure rapid and uniform flow of spray mist 300 around the workpieces 11.

The spray mist 300 heats up as it flows around the hot workpieces 11 disposed in the charge volume 5/V₀ and, as indicated by the spray mist flow arrows 320, is removed from the quench chamber 2. In an appropriate embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises a ventilator 6 or fan 6. The ventilator 6 or fan 6 assists the leading of the spray mist 300 out of the quench chamber 2, and optionally accelerates the flow through the charge volume 5/V₀.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective detail view of an apparatus of the invention for water spray quenching having atomizers comprising one or more atomizer nozzles 31 and a multitude of workpieces 31 disposed on a charge carrier 10. The atomizer nozzles 31 are arranged in the quench chamber or charge volume of the apparatus in such a way that their longitudinal axes (or center axes or rotational axes) each independently form an angle of 135 to 180 degrees, 150 to 180 degrees or 160 to 180 degrees with a vertical reference axis 20′, or of 0 to 45 degrees, 0 to 30 degrees or, respectively, 0 to 20 degrees with an axis pointing in the opposite direction. Accordingly, a center axis of the spray mist cone 300 generated by each atomizer nozzle 31 is aligned essentially at right angles to a proportionally large surface of each of the workpieces 11. In an appropriate embodiment of the apparatus, the atomizer nozzles 31 are disposed essentially in a two-dimensional hexagonal pattern or a two-dimensional pattern corresponding to a tightest ball packing, in order to achieve maximum uniformity of spray mist distribution in a cross-sectional area of the charge volume at right angles to the reference axis 20′. The primitive basis of a two-dimensional hexagonal pattern is formed/specified by two basis vectors {right arrow over (e)}1=(2d,0) and {right arrow over (e)}₂=(d,√{square root over (3)} d) where d denotes a length of 10 to 50 cm. In a departure from the diagram in FIG. 2 , a regular spatial arrangement of the workpieces relative to the spray nozzles is not absolutely necessary in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective detail view of a further apparatus of the invention for water spray quenching with a first and second atomizer 31U and 31L, each of which respectively comprises a multitude of atomizer nozzles 31U and 31L. The atomizer nozzles 31U of the first atomizer 30U are each independently aligned such that their longitudinal axes form an angle of 135 to 180 degrees, 150 to 180 degrees or 160 to 180 degrees with a vertical reference axis 20′. The atomizer nozzles 31L of the second atomizer 30L are each independently aligned such that their longitudinal axes form an angle of 0 to 45 degrees, 0 to 30 degrees or, respectively, 0 to 20 degrees with the vertical reference axis 20′. Accordingly, a center axis of the spray mist cone 300 generated by each atomizer nozzle 31U and 31L is aligned essentially at right angles to a proportionally large surface of each of the workpieces 11. In an appropriate embodiment of the apparatus, the atomizer nozzles 31U and 31L are each independently disposed essentially in a two-dimensional hexagonal pattern or a two-dimensional pattern corresponding to a tightest ball packing, in order to achieve maximum uniformity of spray mist distribution in a cross-sectional area of the charge volume at right angles to the reference axis 20′. In a departure from the diagram in FIG. 3 , a regular spatial arrangement of the workpieces relative to the spray nozzles is not absolutely necessary in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of a further inventive apparatus 1 for water spray quenching with a first and second atomizer (30A, 30B), each fluidically connected to a first and second nozzle chamber (40A, 40B). The first and second nozzle chambers 40A and 40B are respectively disposed above and below a charge carrier 11 with metallic workpieces 11 mounted thereon, for example spur gears. Each of the nozzle chambers (40A, 40B) comprises an outlet having 6 to 10 000 spray nozzles (41A, 41B) each having a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm² to 25 π mm². A longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle (41A, 41B) is aligned essentially parallel to a vertical reference axis 20 or at right angles to a surface of the workpiece 11.

The first and second atomizers (30A, 30B) are each connected via a first supply conduit to a pressurized water vessel and via a second supply conduit to an air- or nitrogen-filled pressurized gas vessel. The pressurized water and pressurized gas vessels (not shown in FIG. 4 ) are each designed for a pressure of 1 to 20 bar. Control valves 32 and 33 respectively are disposed in the first and second supply conduits. By means of the control valves 32 and 33, the volume flow rates (1/min) of water and gas that flow to the first and second atomizers (30A, 30B) from the water and gas pressure vessels respectively are controlled. In an appropriate embodiment of the apparatus, the first and second atomizers (30A, 30B) are each equipped with an atomizer nozzle 31. According to the invention, various concepts known in the prior art are envisaged for the configuration and design of the atomizer nozzle 31, such as one-phase nozzle for water, one-phase nozzle for gas, externally mixing two-phase nozzle, internally mixing two-phase nozzle (gas on the inside, water on the outside), internally mixing two-phase nozzle (water on the inside, gas on the outside), Venturi nozzles with a main gas flow and secondary water flow, Venturi nozzles with a main water flow and secondary gas flow, orifice nozzles, spiral nozzles, nozzles with and without swirl inserts, and rotary nozzles.

The atomizers (30A, 30B) each generate, in the nozzle chambers (40A, 40B) connected thereto, a spray mist 300 which exits through the spray nozzles (41A, 41B) and flows over the workpieces 11. The spray nozzles (41A, 41B) have a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm² to 25 π mm² and preferably take the form of simple orifice nozzles. The configuration and dimensions of the spray nozzles (41A, 41B) and the density thereof, i.e. the number of spray nozzles (41A, 41B) per unit area, are chosen such that uniform contact of the workpieces 11 with spray mist is assured.

In an appropriate configuration of the inventive apparatus 1, the nozzle chambers (40A, 40B) each comprise an outlet or a nozzle plate having two or three mutually superposed perforated plates, wherein a second and optionally a third perforated plate are movable relative to a first perforated plate. FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show partial top views of such a nozzle plate with three perforated plates, each of which has a multitude of circular holes of the same diameter. The relative arrangement of the holes is the same in each of the three perforated plates, with the position of the centers of the holes corresponding to the lattice points of a hexagonally tightest ball packing in two dimensions. In the position shown in FIG. 5 a , all three perforated plates are aligned congruently to one another, such that the holes of the second and third perforated plates coincide with the holes of the first perforated plate. In this case, a nozzle opening formed by three mutually superposed holes in each case has a maximum cross-sectional area. In the position shown in FIG. 5 b , the second and third perforated plates are moved relative to the first perforated plate, such that a nozzle opening formed by three mutually superposed holes in each case has a reduced cross-sectional area. The nozzle plate illustrated in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b comprises a multitude of spray nozzles controllable in parallel, the mode of function of which is based on the principle of an iris.

FIG. 6 shows a further inventive apparatus 1 for water spray quenching with a quench chamber 2 and a recirculator 7 comprising a recirculation drive 72. In an appropriate embodiment, the recirculator 7 is fluidically connected to the quench chamber 2 via two or more conduits. The quench chamber 2 contains a charge volume 5/V₀ in which there are disposed one or more charge carriers 10 with a multitude of workpieces 11 mounted thereon. An inlet 71 comprises one or more atomizers 30, by means of which a spray mist 300 consisting of water and air or water and nitrogen is generated. The recirculator 7 and the recirculation drive 72 are designed and set up to bring about rapid flow of spray mist 300 through the charge volume 5/V₀. In an appropriate embodiment of the apparatus 1, the recirculation drive 72 takes the form of a ventilator or fan. A portion of the spray mist 300 recirculated in the quench chamber 2 and the recirculator 7 is discharged via an outlet 73. In an appropriate embodiment of the apparatus 1, the outlet 73 is fluidically connected to a water separator (not shown in FIG. 6 ).

EXAMPLE 1

200 steel bolts of diameter 25 mm, length 150 mm and weight 0.56 kg apiece are disposed on a charge carrier in an area having a length and width of 50 cm each. One of the steel bolts has an axial hole at an end face, in which a thermocouple connected to a high-temperature-resistant recorder (Fluke Datapaq® Furnace Tracker) is disposed. The charge carrier is in the form of a grid of carbon fiber-reinforced carbon (CFRC) with a mesh opening of 45 mm×45 mm and a land width of 15 mm. The steel bolts disposed on the charge carrier are heated up in a vacuum furnace equipped with a lock and kept at a temperature of 980° C. over a period of 30 min. Subsequently, the charge carrier together with the steel bolts is removed from the vacuum furnace via the lock and disposed in a quench apparatus of the invention. The quench apparatus comprises an upper and lower nozzle register each having 36 spray nozzles, arranged analogously to the manner shown in FIG. 3 such that the outlets of the spray nozzles in an upper and lower horizontal plane are in a regular pattern within a square having a side length of 40 cm, with a lateral distance between every two adjacent spray nozzles of 8 cm and a vertical distance between the upper and lower horizontal planes of 30 cm. The charge carrier is mounted on two rails such that the steel bolts are disposed virtually in the middle, i.e. at a distance of about 15 cm on each side between the upper lower horizontal planes. The time taken for the transfer from the furnace chamber to the quench apparatus is about 20 s. Immediately after the transfer of the charge carrier to the quench apparatus, each of the spray nozzles in the upper and lower registers is supplied with compressed air and water, respectively with a gauge pressure of 3 and 5 bar and flow rates of 5 m³/h and 4 l/min. The temperature progression recorded with the thermocouple in the course of quenching is shown in FIG. 7 . As apparent from FIG. 7 , the steel bolt equipped with the thermocouple has cooled down from 920° C. to 100° C. within about 25 s.

EXAMPLE 2

9 of a total of 45 steel gears having external diameter 310 mm, thickness 34 mm and weight 15.1 kg apiece are laid out in a square pattern on each of 5 charge carriers within an area of 1 m×1 m. One of the gears has a horizontal hole at an end face, in which a thermocouple connected to a high-temperature-resistant recorder (Fluke Datapaq® Furnace Tracker) is disposed. Each of the 5 charge carriers is in the form of a grid of carbon fiber-reinforced carbon (CFRC) with a mesh opening of 45 mm×45 mm and a land width of 15 mm. The gear equipped with the thermocouple is disposed in the middle on the third charge carrier, i.e. in the center of the overall batch of 45 gears. The overall batch with the 45 gears is heated up in a vacuum furnace equipped with a lock and kept at a temperature of 980° C. over a period of 60 min. Subsequently, the overall batch is removed from the vacuum furnace via the lock and disposed in a quench chamber of a quench apparatus of the invention. The time taken for the transfer from the furnace chamber to the quench chamber is about 30 s. The quench apparatus is equipped with a recirculator and configured in the manner described in FIG. 6 . Immediately after the transfer of the overall batch, with the aid of an atomizer disposed in the circulator and a fan, a water spray mist composed of 97.5% by volume of air and 2.5% by volume of water is generated and directed through the quench chamber, or recirculated in the quench apparatus, at a volume flow rate of 645 m³/min. The temperature of the water spray mist at the atomizer nozzle is 18° C. Water spray mist is removed with a temperature of 78° C. at a quench chamber outlet. The volume flow rates of the water spray mist generated by the atomizer and that removed at the outlet are of equal size and are each 72 m³/min. According to the temperature progression recorded by the thermocouple, the gear disposed centrally in the overall batch is cooled down from 940° C. to 100° C. within about 43 s.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 . . . apparatus for water spray quenching -   2 . . . quench chamber -   20 . . . reference axis, positive direction -   20 . . . reference axis, negative direction -   30 . . . atomizer -   30A . . . atomizer -   30B . . . atomizer -   30U . . . atomizer -   30L . . . atomizer -   31 . . . atomizer nozzle -   31U . . . atomizer nozzle -   31L . . . atomizer nozzle -   32 . . . control valve for water -   33 . . . control valve for air or nitrogen -   300 . . . spray mist or water spray mist -   310 . . . spray mist flow arrow -   320 . . . spray mist flow arrow -   40A . . . nozzle chamber -   40B . . . nozzle chamber -   41A . . . spray nozzle -   41B . . . spray nozzle -   5 . . . charge volume V₀ -   6 . . . ventilator or fan for the removal of the spray mist from the     quench chamber -   7 . . . recirculator -   71 . . . inlet -   710 . . . inlet flow arrow -   72 . . . recirculation drive (ventilator or fan) -   720 . . . recirculation flow arrow -   73 . . . outlet -   730 . . . outlet flow arrow -   10 . . . charge carrier -   11 . . . workpiece 

1. An apparatus for water spray quenching comprising a quenching chamber which has been designed and set up to accommodate metallic workpieces and has a charge volume (V₀) of 0.045 to 3.5 m³; and at least one atomizer which is configured for the atomization of water in air or nitrogen and is fluidically connected to the quenching chamber; wherein the at least one atomizer and the apparatus are designed and set up to generate a spray mist having a water content of 2.5% to 40% by volume and a Sauter diameter of 20 to 2000 μm and to convey a spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ of 0.05 to 25 m³/s or to recirculate the spray mist in the charge volume V₀ at a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is designed and set up to generate a spray mist throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the quench chamber of 0.05 to 25 m³/s.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer, each having 3 to 60 atomizer nozzles.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein outlets of the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are disposed in a first horizontal plane, outlets of the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are disposed in a second horizontal plane, the quench apparatus comprises one or two receptacles for a first and second charge carrier, and the first and second receptacles are disposed in vertical direction between the first and second horizontal planes.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the atomizer nozzles of the first and second atomizers are each designed, configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of 0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the atomizer nozzles of the first and second atomizers are independently designed, configured and arranged in space to subject a horizontal area of 0.16 to 2.25 m² uniformly to water spray mist in such a way that a vertical component v_(z) of a flow rate of the water spray mist has a value of 0.8×v_(z) to 1.2×v_(z) with 0.5 m/s≤v_(z)≤35 m/s.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quench chamber is equipped with one or more ventilators or fans having a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises at least one recirculator which is fluidically connected to the quench chamber and has a recirculation drive, where the recirculation drive is set up to generate a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises an electronic controller and at least one infrared sensor, the at least one infrared sensor is designed and set up to measure the temperature of workpieces disposed on a charge carrier when the charge carrier is being held in a charge carrier receptacle of the apparatus, and an electrical output from the at least one infrared sensor is connected to an electrical input of the electronic controller.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quench chamber comprises a tank for condensed water.
 11. A system for thermal or thermochemical treatment of metallic workpieces with subsequent water spray quenching, comprising one or more charge carriers for the storage of workpieces; an oven for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of workpieces disposed on one or more charge carriers, wherein the oven is designed and set up to heat up the workpieces to a temperature of 750 to 1100° C.; an apparatus for water spray quenching as claimed in claim 1; and an automated transfer apparatus designed and set up to transfer workpieces disposed on one or more charge carriers within a period of 10 to 60 s from the oven into a quench chamber of the apparatus.
 12. A method of water spray quenching of thermally or thermochemically treated metallic workpieces, comprising the steps of: disposing one or more thermochemically treated workpieces in a charge volume V₀ of an apparatus for water spray quenching; atomizing water in air or nitrogen in order to produce a spray mist; passing spray mist through the charge volume V₀; wherein the charge volume V₀ is in a range of greater than or equal to 0.045 m³ to less than or equal to 3.5 m³; the spray mist has a water content of 2.5% to 40% by volume; the spray mist has a Sauter diameter of 20 to 2000 μm; and a spray mist flow through the charge volume V₀ is 0.05 to 25 m³/s or the spray mist is recirculated in the charge volume V₀ at a spray mist volume flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m³/s.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more workpieces are cooled down from a temperature of 750 to 1100° C. to a temperature of 20° C. to 250° C.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one atomizer produces 0.05 to 25 m³/s of spray mist.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein a spray mist throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the quench chamber is 0.05 to 25 m³/s. 